Jonathan E. Spanier, PhD, Hess Family Endowed Chair Professor and Head of the Department of
Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel University, has been named a
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Spanier joins the
2024 class of 471 scientists, engineers and innovators honored with one of the most prestigious
distinctions in the scientific community.
AAAS Fellowship recognizes individuals whose efforts on behalf of the
advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially
distinguished. Spanier was cited “for outstanding contributions to advancing understanding of
light-matter interactions, ferroelectricity and nanoscale phenomena in nanostructures,
thin films, and bulk solids, particularly oxides, including Raman
scattering, and dedicated academic administrative leadership.”
A faculty member at Drexel since 2003, Spanier is a widely recognized
expert in materials science, physics, and electrical and mechanical
engineering. His recent research has focused on the nanoscale
electromechanical properties of ferroic and polar oxides, particularly in
low-dimensional and thin-film systems. Notable recent work includes
discoveries in domain wall engineering, polarization-dependent photovoltaic
effects, and the quantum behavior of electrons in polar solids. His work
has been published in journals such as Nature, Nature Materials, Nature
Photonics, Physical Review Letters, and Advanced Materials. He is also
featured in the 2024 Stanford University–Elsevier
global ranking of the top 2% of scientists worldwide, based on citation metrics in Applied Physics — a recognition that
reflects the influence and impact of his scholarship.
Spanier’s career has been marked by multidisciplinary achievement and
institutional leadership. In addition to his research accomplishments, he
served as Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and was the founding
director of Drexel’s Centralized Research Facilities. His efforts have
helped shape the strategic direction of the college and support
infrastructure for advanced materials research.
Throughout his career, Spanier has earned numerous honors, including the
U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and
election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society. The AAAS Fellowship
adds to this distinguished record, acknowledging both his scientific
achievements and his dedication to advancing engineering and physics at the
intersection of disciplines.